Joint Training on Chemical Incident Preparedness in Ludwigshafen
A joint training session aimed at strengthening Europe’s preparedness for chemical incidents was held on 20–21 May 2025 in Ludwigshafen, hosted by BASF. The event brought together representatives from DG ECHO, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), BASF and Cefic.
Designed to strengthen the European Response Coordination Centre’s (ERCC) capacity to assess and respond to chemical emergencies, the programme combined operational insight with technical expertise over one and a half days.
Participants visited the BASF Visitors’ Centre and its industrial site, gaining first-hand insight into large-scale chemical operations and internal emergency response structures. Sessions also highlighted BASF’s operational approach within the chemical industry.
The training featured technical briefings on dispersion modelling, biomonitoring and human toxicology, all critical components in assessing and managing chemical releases. DG ECHO outlined ERCC procedures and expectations, sharing lessons learned from recent exercises and activations, while ECHA presented its role and tools supporting chemical incident response.
The initiative underscores the ongoing cooperation between public authorities and industry, reinforcing technical expertise and operational readiness to ensure an effective response to chemical emergencies across Europe.